8 High-Tech Gadgets That’ll Actually Change Your Skin

Navigating the world of skin care devices is tough. You can't exactly take facial tools for a test run at Sephora like you would a lipstick. And then, of course, there's the cost to factor in. (Do you really need to drop $300 on a wand to supercharge your face serums? Eh, probably not.) But every so often, a shiny new piece of technology shows up that does for skin care what the first iPod did for MP3s and changes the game. Obviously, the stakes are higher when it comes to your face (nobody ever broke out from dropping $50 on a Zune), so we rounded up every innovative, raved about skin care tool we could get our hands on and asked Glamour staffers to answer the ultimate question: is this thing worth it? For the devices below, the answer was a resounding yes. From cleansing brushes to acne lights, read on for the tools that'll truly change your skin.

"This genius steamer gives me the same professional results as the facials I can only afford once a year. The manual suggests steaming for two minutes while cleansing, then exfoliating, steaming for two more minutes while applying a serum and topping it all with a moisturizer. That's exactly what I (and then my boyfriend who is also now obsessed) did. All of my typical products melted into my skin and my face has gotten a for real unearthly luminescence." —Meg Adams, engineering manager

"Imagine there's a dermatologist living in your bedroom and giving you free advice—that's basically life with a HiMirror Plus. It scans your face, analyses an index of common concerns like dark spots and redness, and has changed the way I think about my skin. Having a Spotify-playing light-up mirror that tells me I'm dehydrated is fantastic, but the best part is that I don't have to wonder if a product is working or making me break out; my HiMirror will tell me." —Amber Rambharose, beauty editor

"I've only used Neutrogena's light therapy mask a few times, but I've already noticed acne spots clearing up—which is inspiring me to keep going with the treatment. Warning: It will dry out your skin, but that's what moisturizer is for. The real benefit I get from it, though, is my husband's reaction every time I put the mask on. Apparently watching his wife transform into Jason Voorhees for 10 minutes a night is terrifying. Who knew!" —Anna Moeslein, entertainment editor

"I started shaving my face a few months ago, thanks to a gateway pack of single-blade razors. Since then I've played around with other face-shaving devices but none stood up to razors until the Dermaflash. It looks a little intimidating but is actually really intuitive since it's designed—ergonomically!— to keep the blade snug against your skin. It sloughs off peach fuzz and dead skin cells like a face scrub times ten and makes my foundation look great with zero effort. I love zero effort." —Rachel Nussbaum, beauty writer

"As soon as I opened Madonna's Skin Rejuvenator, I knew I wasn't in for a run-of-the-mill face mask. This is not your standard apply, dry, wash off situation. In fact, I had to read the directions because the contraption itself was so elusive. You apply the clay mask, and then slowly stroke the wand around your cheeks while it magnetically attracts the clay off your skin—it is wild! And tickles! The wand leaves behind some particles that morph into a serum. I loved that the magnet feels like it is really pulling out the impurities, without being harsh or abrasive." —Elissa Velluto, accessories director

"I was skeptical about this brush, not because the product looked cheap or the reviews were bad but because the instructions were really vague. That said, I noticed an immediate difference after just one use. My skin was softer and plumper and a pesky chin pimple I'd been fighting had completely disappeared overnight. I’d highly recommend this brush to anyone who has finicky skin that needs deep cleaning, but demands very gentle treatment." —Khaliha Hawkins, digital administrative assistant

"Fun fact: "Espada" means sword in Spanish, which is the most appropriate name ever for this zit-zapping tool. When I feel an upcoming bump, I zap it for a quick 30 seconds with this bacteria-banishing blue light, and I swear it's gone by morning. (Don't worry, it's painless so you don't feel a thing.) The silicone surface is also super hygienic, which is key for when my skin is already on the fritz." —Jen Mulrow, assistant beauty editor

"When it comes to cleansing brushes, you really do get what you pay for and you get everything with this Clarisonic. While I'm not worried about anti-aging, I love that this gadget is a face brush, body brush, and tool for applying serums or moisturizers. It's also incredibly gentle, which is important for me since over-exfoliating had left me with some discoloration on my face." —Blake Newby, beauty assistant